First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
Oldham Council are launching a campaign for 'fairer deal' for local residents (which as an Oldhamer would include me) with regards to bus fares, as they say Oldhamers have to pay between 13% and 50% more on fares than other areas in Greater Manchester, mainly because First operate the majority of bus services in the area.

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon said: "First Bus has a near monopoly on bus services in our borough and the wider north Manchester area. That wouldn't necessarily be a problem if the fares were comparative, but the figures we have do not appear to suggest this is the case. We believe people in Oldham are paying too much for their bus fares."

Oldham Council are now planning to lobby TfGM on the issue.

First Manchester responded by saying: "We have a standard fare structure across our whole Greater Manchester network and so our customers in Oldham pay the same as customers across the region. We are happy to discuss this matter with Oldham Council and will look at ways we can work in partnership with them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-man...r-18799011